GINA B. GOOD / PVT Educators selected as teacher of the year for their respective school are, from left, Jill Warren, Mt. Charleston Elementary; Cassondra Lauver, Manse Elementary; Judy Romick, Community Christian Academy; Rod Poteete, Pahrump Valley High; Cynthia Benton, Hafen Elementary and Linda Coleman-Wogee, Floyd Elementary. Not shown: Jan Batchelder, Rosemary Clarke Middle School and Joette Thorn, J.G. Johnson Elementary. Advertisement

A recent luncheon recognized eight teachers of the year in the Pahrump Valley school district.

The honored teachers are:

* Jill Warren was honored for challenging her students through creative activities, interesting science projects and achievable goals at Mt. Charleston Elementary. According to her peers, "Students talk about the game they played in class to learn about reptiles. Education is fun in her room."

* Cassondra Lauver taught math at RCMS and now teaches second- and fifth-grade math at Manse Elementary. Her fellow teachers wrote, "She maintains an open, inviting classroom in spite of averaging 30 students per class. She willingly takes on new ideas and shows an excitement and energy for learning herself."

* Judy Romick, has been the fourth-grade teacher for the Community Christian Academy for 10 years. She was selected because: "She excels at building relationships and unity within her classroom. She makes Nevada History come alive with her enthusiasm and projects."

* Rod Poteete has been commuting to Pahrump Valley High School for 35 years from his home in Las Vegas. Poteete's commitment to the students and athletes earned him a charter membership in the PVHS Athletics Hall of Fame. Recently retired, Poteete said he'll miss his many friends, but not the commute.

* Cynthia Benton's students at Hafen Elementary consistently meet and exceed their grade level benchmarks. Her greatest strength, according to Principal Terry Owens, is "her positive, optimistic attitude. She finds a way to reach a child, to communicate an idea, to solve a problem, or to cheer up a day with her great sense of humor."

* Linda Coleman-Wogee is a second-grade teacher at Floyd Elementary. She's taught for 12 years, including six in Nye County. Principal Holly Lepisto said, "Linda goes above and beyond to make learning fun for her students. She gave up her personal time to teach art to all the children in our school."

* Each member of the Science Department at Rosemary Clarke Middle School signed the nomination letter for Jan Batchelder. The letter stated: "The gathering of funding and the implementation of ordering new textbooks is just the beginning of Jan's accomplishments. She also spent her own time writing a new science curriculum for all grade levels."

* Judy Thorn teaches third grade at J.G. Johnson Elementary and has been an educator for 31 years. She joined Nye County School District in 2000. In addition to participating in many extra curricular activities, she takes on additional challenges working with at risk students through the afternoon tutoring program.

Reverend Julie Platson of St. Martin's in the Desert Episcopal Church expressed the thoughts of parents and teachers who filled the Rosemary Clarke auditorium for the ceremonies conducted recently.

"We are filled with love, respect and gratitude for these special people who hold our children in their capable hands," Platson said.

She said teachers take children from tender green buds to strong trees, along the way giving their charges the tools to become successful, responsible adults.